ADVOCACY- May, 2013
SUPPORT EXPANDED MEDICAID
As part of the budget discussion on the state level, there is discussion on expanding Medicaid coverage for many poor NH residents. What I see on a daily basis is difficulty for people to get access to care (they say "I don't have insurance - I can't go to a doctor"), waiting till they are very ill to go to a doctor out of desperation, and dying from treatable illnesses. Many do seasonal labor jobs, fast food or retail that is not enough hours to get benefits, or people are injured at work and are not able to return.
SAVE THE DATE
The Greater Nashua area CROP WALK, which raises money for world hunger as well as local groups (including NSK&S) will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2013. This annual event has raised $949,115.40 since its inception and hopes to reach $1 million this year.
Is your faith community involved in this effort? Would you like it to be? Contact Rev. Jeff Evans, jevans@firstchurchnashua.org for more information.
HOUSING ACTION NH -ONGOING LEGISLATION
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There is a senate bill proposed to establish a commission on housing policy and regulation to identify and reduce legislative and administrative barriers to the creation of affordable housing. While there are long lists for subsidized housing in most areas of NH, the creation of new affordable housing is very difficult for construction companies, funding sources, housing agencies, and planners, not to mention the large number of qualified tenants.
Bills addressing the mitigation of bed bug infestations as necessary to maintain and increase housing opportunities are also proposed. This bill passed and was one of the most impressive bills this session - after years of meeting and doing hard work, a group that included property owners, tenants' rights' groups, lawyers, and business interests came up with clear and fair suggestions for bed bug eradication. It could be a model for other issues.
For information on what is happening with low-income housing and homelessness prevention in NH, check out http://www.housingactionnh.org/ . To find your own rep, see link below (scroll down).
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REPORT ON HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS IN NH
HOW TO FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET
NSK&S on FACEBOOK
Become a friend of Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter and/or Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter Advocacy Page on Facebook if you are on that social network, and encourage others to do so. It is another way to bring the concerns of some of the people in Nashua who don't get heard in most networks to a broader audience. Thanks!
SOME WEBSITES TO CHECK OUT
With much of federal legislation stalled or sidetracked, it is important to get the word out to our representatives in Congress that we are concerned about bills that affect homeless and hungry people in our neighborhood, a number that is growing daily due to job loss, increasing costs, and unexpected health care challenges.
*** SOME WAYS TO BE INVOLVED:
- Contact our current (and some new) congressional delegation to support the following:
- Housing initiatives for those who cannot afford to buy homes
- Promote job creation, and job security
- The Ending Homelessness Committee welcomes citizen involvement - contact Eileen@NSKS.org for more information.
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